For many students, the start of a new academic term is associated with a fresh start, more learning opportunities, and the chance to achieve new goals in classes and extracurricular activities. 

Sean Smith, a sophomore accounting major, said he sees the start of a new semester as an opportunity to meet new people, explore new interests and get back into a routine.

“I’m going to make the most of this semester, because I’m already almost halfway through college, which is kind of crazy to think about,” he said. “Hanging out with friends, working a side job, joining new clubs — those are all things that add to the college experience.”

John Hamour, a senior biological sciences major who commutes to campus from Middletown, Delaware, said he overslept and was late to his first class of the day — but he’s not going to let the setback derail his plans for a successful last semester at UD.

Offering advice to underclassmen, he said, “Get a head start on assignments and avoid procrastination. Being on top of your work is what can make or break your semester. Get involved in as many things as possible, and try not to be late to class.”

Ansul Patel, a junior biological sciences major, also commutes to campus. He said it’s sometimes hard to balance his commute with classes and two part-time jobs, but he’s determined to make this semester his best yet. He plans to stay organized by using a planner and sticking to his to-do list each day.

“It’s refreshing to be around other students who have the same goals,” he said. “Winter break felt long, so it’s good to be back.”

Alexis Henderson, a first-year kinesiology major, spent her winter break taking two online Winter Session courses. The classes — Pre-Calculus and The Language of Medicine — were challenging, she said, so it was helpful to be able to focus on only two classes at a time.

“Those were big classes that I needed for my major, and it was easier to do it just having the two classes rather than a full schedule, so I could focus just on those two,” she said. “The class sizes were also smaller, so I was able to contact my professors really easily.”

She’s glad she took Winter Session classes and plans to do so again next year, but she said it’s good to be back on campus with her friends.

Vanessa Rack, a sophomore fashion merchandising major, also missed her friends on campus and was glad to be back in the swing of things — even if that included an 8 a.m. public speaking class. During a break between class and work, she sat down in the Patrick T. Harker Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering (ISE) Lab to review this semester’s syllabi. 

“This semester my goals are to get good grades, meet new people, be productive, be more outgoing and try new things,” she said.

Williams, the entrepreneurship student, is looking forward to seeing her business grow this semester, but she’s also eager for the weather changes that spring brings.

“I'm just really excited for the trees to grow leaves and for it to not be so cold anymore,” she said as she looked out the window of Perkins Student Center toward Academy Street. “It's really pretty once the flowers start to bloom. I'm excited for that and to have picnics on The Green.”